By: Connie Austin
‘Tis the season to give …
the gift of running!
Why not give yourself, a co-worker, your employees, or a
loved one the opportunity to make running a healthy habit in 2013? Learn to Run!
When I tell someone I teach the Learn to Run program at the
FootZone, I often see their eyebrows furrow, and with a scrunched up face
reply, “What do you mean you TEACH running?
Isn’t it just natural?” Yes, running is a natural motion for humans. Yet most people run inefficiently and end up
frustrated, injured, or so discouraged they quit and declare, “I can’t run.”
By learning a few running and walking fundamentals, people
in the Learn to Run program are often surprised beyond belief with their newly found
competence on the first day! Soon, they can run farther than ever before, be
free of pain or injury, and accomplish goals like finishing a 5k or losing
weight! Most important of all, we make
sure to HAVE FUN! This isn’t a boot camp
or a training group. Everyone practices
at their own pace either walking, running or a combination of both. Any speed is welcomed and given plenty of encouragement
and support.
Learning to perform any task correctly takes attention to
form, technique, and proper use of equipment.
You may drive a car, but are you driving it with efficiency? Is the emergency brake off? Are you shifting
at the right time? You may fancy yourself as a great cook, but are you using
your kitchen knives correctly? Running properly
takes some practice and knowledge of the tricks of the trade.
Footzone ‘s Learn to Run class, now in it’s fourth year, is
the perfect place for people who have tried and quit running, don’t like to
run, want to begin a walking/running program, are fearful or skeptical about
starting, or who need the camaraderie of a group to get up and go for it. Over 1,000 people from age 7 to over 70, in
the past 3 years bear witness to its success.
The beauty of this program is the power for personal change
within the context of a non-competitive, nurturing group environment. Learning a life changing habit in community
with others, brings support, confidence, and accountability for each
individual. Research and experience show that people demonstrate greater
success with guided repetition in a group environment, much better than in
isolation. Sure you can read a book
about running correctly, and try it out on your own, but meeting with your
running buddies and coach on a regular practice schedule will bring better
returns for your effort.
Another critical component to our success comes from the
helpful FootZone staff and our running mentors.
Our mentors in the group are
former Learn to Run students who have previously taken the class and know how
the beginners feel. They can share their
success through telling their own story, or by example of being the runner they
are today.
January brings the beginning of a new Learn to Run session, and
like all successful programs, after some evaluation, we’re tweaking it a bit to
make it even better. This year the class
runs for 4 weeks, meeting one hour twice a week. This allows more weekly group practice and
time for outside presentations from local experts.
I love teaching this class, and implementing my Run Ready Formula to make learning to
run fun and meaningful. Often, prior to
the first week of class, I receive phone calls and e-mails from nervous and
curious folks with these common questions:
I’m overweight, is
this class still for me? Yes! You
will learn all the fundamentals to apply to your fitness level as you are
ready. Most likely, you’ll begin by
walking, then start running for 30 seconds, take a walk break, then run again
in short intervals allowing your breath and body to be your guide. Eventually you will increase your running spurts,
seconds, steps or minutes at a time. This
is how some people started who went on to run half marathons and
marathons.
I have an old injury
(knee, hip, head, ankle etc..) and am afraid I’ll reinjure myself if I
run. Can I still take this class? Yes! We take great care to be sure your body
is moving efficiently and you are pacing yourself correctly so you do not
reinjure yourself. Chances are, once you
learn how to run properly, and you become stronger, your injury will bother you
less and less.
I’ve never run before
and I’m a total beginner, is this class for me? ABSOLUTELY! Your experience, age, size, shape, gender, or
any other trait won’t hinder your ability to learn to run if you are
willing! 80% of SUCCESS is just SHOWING
UP!
How does the Learn to
Run class differ from the Good Form Running clinics? Good Form Running (GFR) emphasizes form only
in a one-shot lecture, video, and practice format. The class is free and offered each
month.
The LTR program is a series of classes designed for in depth,
step by step (no pun intended) lessons that include proper running form,
coaching, nutrition, hydration, injury-prevention, hill running, keeping a running journal, and
more. The other big bonus for
participants is a bunch of cool running gear and a store discount to jack up
your motivation.
I look forward to meeting the new runners at our next class
beginning Monday, January 14th at 5:30 at the FootZone!
For more information, attend the quick LTR information night, Wednesday January 9th from 5:30 – 6:00pm. I’ll be there to answer any questions and help people sign up.
Register now at FootZone or contact Connie Austin.
541-728-7120
Coach Connie Austin developed the Run Ready program and has been an educator, runner and coach for over 30 years.
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